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Friday, June 29, 2012

Favorite Recent Reads

Just a look at three of my favorite recent reads:

The first is The Redemption of Lord Rawlings by Rachel Van Dyken. The hero in this story was a villain in the first two in the series, and the way the author made him not only salvageable, but also a hero you could really admire and root for, is amazing. Not too many authors can pull that off.

COVER BLURB:

Phillip Crawford, the eighth Earl of Rawlings and notorious
rake of the ton, has come to the end of his rope. Out of money, out of favor,
and out of luck, he wanders the streets of London in the rain, hoping to be hit
by inspiration...or a runaway carriage. Something has to give. It is his
father's final cruel trick to hold his inheritance just out of reach, requiring
him to marry by his next birthday in order to claim his full rights as earl.
His step-mother refuses to offer him any more support. With no money, no
prospects and no other place to turn, he has only two options:

Marriage or debtor's prison.

The better choice seems clear enough, but with his name and
reputation being attacked daily in the society papers, there's not a proper
lady in all of London desperate enough to accept him. It isn't going to be
easy, even if the reports of his exploits and rakish lifestyle are greatly
exaggerated.

On the other hand, debtor's prison does start to look much
more appealing when the only friends he has left decide to help him in his
search for the perfect bride. Matters become much more complicated when the
only woman who shows an interest in him just happens to be the young
sister-in-law of the Duke of Tempest; the same man who, just months ago, had
been tempted to kill him.

One thing is for certain, as the Season draws to an end,
Lord Rawlings will have to decide once and for all, if his wicked ways are
enough to bring him contentment in life, or if a leopard really can change his
spots. Or in Phillip's case—can a devil truly be redeemed?

The Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella Complex by Rebekah L. Purdy became an instant favorite. Incredible voice. Great dialogue. Fun characters. Can't wait for the next installment!

COVER BLURB:

Sixteen-year-old Maggie Winters can’t think of anything more
exciting than junior year. There’s her first prom to look forward to, she can
drive, and most important Connor Prince has finally noticed her. But
unfortunately so has the school snob, Katrina Melville, who goes out of her way
to make Maggie’s life a living hell. If that’s not enough, Maggie’s grandma has
decided to retire, which doesn’t seem like such a big deal. That is until she
finds out her grandma is a Fairy Godmother, and not just any Fairy Godmother.
The Fairy Godmother, as in Cinderella, pumpkins, and mice. And she has informed
Maggie that she’s next in line to become the new Fairy Godmother.

At first Maggie is excited, the whole getting wings, flying
(or rather trying not to crash), and a wand that lets her grant wishes. It’s
like being a superhero, without all the action, explosions, and spandex. Then
she gets her first assignment, Katrina Melville, her nemesis. And if that
doesn’t make her want to poof herself into oblivion, she finds out that part of
Katrina’s happily-ever-after is Connor Prince. Life is so unfair. Even worse,
she can’t tell her two best friends about any of it and they’re getting sick of
her disappearing acts. Then there are the dangerous creatures, called Grimms
who will stop at nothing to keep the happy endings from being fulfilled, even
if it means destroying the Fairy Godmother responsible. With time running out,
Maggie has to make this wish come true or it will ruin the fates of everyone
involved, and open the world to darkness beyond imagination. Maggie will soon
find out what it truly means to be a Fairy Godmother—and it isn’t all about
princes, gowns, and wings, but something much more.

The third is Saphyre Snow by Marcia Lynn McClure. Love the way the friendships develop between Saphyre Snow and each of the men of the keep.

COVER BLURB:

Descended of a legendary line of strength and beauty,
Saphyre Snow had once known happiness as princess of the Kingdom of Graces.
Once a valiant king had ruled in wisdom--once a loving mother had spoken soft
words of truth to her daughter. Yet, a strange madness had poisoned great
minds--a strange fever inviting Lord Death to linger. Soon it was even Lord
Death sought to claim Saphyre Snow for his own--and all Saphyre loved seemed
lost.

Thus, Saphyre fled--forced to leave all familiars for
necessity of preserving her life. Alone, and without provision, Saphyre knew
Lord Death might yet claim her--for how could a princess hope to best the
Reaper himself?

Still, fate often provides rescue by extraordinary venues,
and Saphyre was not delivered into the hands of Death--but into the hands of
those hiding dark secrets in the depths of bruised and bloodied souls. Saphyre
knew a measure of hope and asylum in the company of these battered vagabonds.
Even she knew love--a secreted love--a forbidden love. Yet it was love
itself--even held secret--that would again summon Lord Death to hunt the
princess, Saphyre Snow.